Conditions Report - Statewide

Statewide Conditions 

Around the state streams, creeks, and rivers are starting to hit prime stages for fishing. This time of the year flows can vary regionally so it is recommended anglers check flows and discharges as part of determining where to fish. We have some areas where the flows are much higher due to recent snow melt on the front side of runoff while other streams are still flowing relatively low more similar to a winter flow. With consistent warm weather we have been having over the last week or so fish are starting to transition into a really consistent spring or early summer feeding and holding pattern. This is the time of year where anglers really have to pay attention to the details when it comes to fishing a river. Paying attention to the details will really give anglers a good idea of what the fish are most likely feeding on. This shoulder season between spring and summer there are a variety of hatches taking place meaning there are a variety of flies and patterns that can work well all within one day. 
Colorado Fishing Atlas

Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado

Eleven Mile State Park

As of 4/25/2019, shoreline anglers are catching some nice trout. As more and more shoreline continues to open up anglers have been having success catching trout throughout various areas of the lake. Most of the trout caught seem to be smaller but there have been some nice fish mixed in. Pike anglers are having some success targeting the larger fish that are in the shallows. Fishing is expected to be good again this summer as the reservoir opens to boating.
Eleven Mile State Park

Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

As of 4/26/2019, flows have increased with the releasing of water from Cheesman Reservoir. Look for small midges and emerger patterns to be productive in the open runs and deeper pools. Also try smaller slow riffles in the warming afternoon. Anglers are reporting some dry fly hatches being seen. Mayfly patterns such as blue wing olives have been the best fish producing dry flies. Flows: 210 CFS (4/26/2019) 
Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

Antero Reservoir

As of 4/25/2019, there is plenty of open water to shore fish currently. Anglers are reporting success catching some really nice sized trout using scud patterns below a strike indicator. Other anglers are also having success on some smaller trout using spoons and spinner baits fished slowly.
Antero Reservoir 

North Sterling State Park

As of 4/25/2019, water temp is about 52 degrees. Fishing report - Carp and Drum are fair, for all other species the fishing is slow with only a few reports of them being caught each day. The Reservoir is OPEN to BOATING. The Inlet is ON and the Outlet is OFF.
North Sterling State Park 

Boyd Lake 

As of 4/24/2019, water temperature is in the mid 50’s which has the fishing getting better and better. Anglers have reported success catching trout near the pump house on the south end of the lake using minnows. Walleye seem to be holding in 18 to 20 feet of water. Anglers targeting white bass and crappie are reporting limited success however that should change once the inlets begin flowing. The main boat ramp and Heron Cover (north) ramp are open for launching. Boat Inspectors will be available at the ANS Inspection Station from 7:00am to 7:00pm during the month of April. Decontamination hours are 8:00am to 6:00 pm. 
Boyd Lake

Jackson Lake

As of 4/22/2019, surface water temperature is approximately 54 degrees. Fishing has been fair to good for crappie, walleye, saugeye and wipers. Anglers are reporting success using curly tail grubs on jig heads for the walleye and saugeye. Crappie have been caught using small tube jigs or crankbaits.
Jackson Lake State Park

Barr Lake State Park

As of 4/24/2019, water clarity is reported as good. There is some floating debris throughout the lake, boaters are encouraged to use caution while navigating the lake. Water temperatures are slowly increasing which has the fish much more active. Anglers are starting to report success targeting a variety of species. Anglers have reported some success for trout using nightcrawlers or PowerBait off the bottom.
Barr Lake

Tarryall Reservoir

As of 4/24/2019, the majority of the reservoir is open water. Anglers are having luck catching trout throughout the lake on a variety of baits. Pike have also been reported in the shallows as they are spawning. Anglers targeting pike have had some success catching the fish that are actively feeding which would be either the pre-spawn fish or the post-spawn fish.
Tarryall Reservoir

Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado

Arkansas River-Lake Pueblo

As of 4/26/2019, flows have increased from about 200 CFS to just over 300 CFS. Anglers are reporting success using a wide variety of techniques. Fly anglers are reporting a decent amount of hatch activity which is making the dry fly fishing during the afternoon hours. Spin casting anglers have had success using jerk baits in metallic colors. Flows: 310 CFS (4/26/2019) 
Arkansas River at Pueblo Reservoir 

Lake Pueblo

As of 4/25/2019, water temperatures are reaching the low 50’s. Anglers are still having some success catching walleye on jerk baits during the day fishing main lake points. If the bite slows anglers have been able to pick up fish jigging soft plastics on top of those same points. Wiper have been caught but are tough to find currently. Anglers are finding warmer water towards the western portion of the reservoir which is where the bass and crappie fishing have been most productive. Look for submerged timber and brush for the crappies and rock ledges for the bass. Be sure to check the 2019 Fishing Brochure for updates on new Pueblo Specific Regulations for 2019. Boat Ramp/Inspection Station hours are currently 5:00am – 11:00pm. 
Lake Pueblo

Arkansas River Buena Vista to Canon City

As of 4/26/2019, water temperatures are in the mid 40’s in the upper stretches and getting into low 50’s in the lower reaches of this section. The increased water temperatures are kicking the fish’s metabolism into high gear meaning fish are actively feeding more and more each day. There have been some sporadic caddis hatches in the lower stretches with lower flows than a week ago and increased water temperatures. During the warmer parts of the day Blue Wing Olive hatches are starting to be seen. Flows: 420 CFS (4/26/2019) 
Arkansas River – Near Salida 

Trinidad Lake State Park

As of 4/25/2019, the lake is at a surface elevation of 6189.14. Boaters are having excellent success catching trout. Trolling with worms or spinners seems to be the go to rig. Anglers are starting to report success catching walleye and perch now that the temperatures are on the rise. The boat ramp is open, inspection hours are from 8:00am to 4:00pm daily. If there is not an inspector at the ramp, please call the ranger cell phone numbers at 719-859-0480 or 719-989-7194 or the visitor center at 719-846-6951 from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Trinidad Lake

Conditions Report - Metro Denver Area

Aurora Reservoir

This 762-acre impoundment is located off of E. Quincy Avenue, two miles east of E-470. Open to boating. Electric trolling motors only. As of 4/24/2019, water temperatures are about 55 degrees. Trout scattered throughout the lake with some nice fish around 18 inches being caught. Yellow Perch and Walleye also scattered but holding in the deeper water around 30 feet. Anglers reporting some success catching walleye on jigs or blade baits. The smallmouth action is expected to increase with slightly warmer water temperatures being reported. For more information, call 303-326-8425. Park hours April 6:00am-8:30pm.
Aurora Reservoir

Cherry Creek

This 881-acre impoundment is located in Cherry Creek State Park, in Aurora. There are two entrances to the park, the east entrance off S. Dayton St. and the west entrance off S. Parker Rd. As of 4/25/2019, water temperatures are being reported in the mid 50’s. During the day walleye anglers are trolling deep water in front of the dam focusing on the fish that are feeding out in the open basin of the reservoir. Walleye are slowly starting to transition out of the basin and onto the structure on the southern portion of the reservoir. Fishing for trout has been consistent with anglers catching fish on a variety of lures or baits including casting spoons and in-line spinner baits. There have also been a few reports of anglers catching some crappie in the shallower sections of the reservoir where the water tends to be a bit warmer.
Cherry Creek Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir

This 1,356 acre impoundment is located in Chatfield State Park. As of 4/25/2019, water temperatures are sitting in the mid 50’s in the afternoons with some water temperatures being seen at 60 degrees on the warmest days. With the warmer water temperatures anglers targeting bass have been able to catch a few along the rocky shorelines. Anglers have started reporting success catching smallmouth on drop shot rigs with a variety of soft plastics. Anglers targeting walleye are still having the most success at night trolling crankbaits in the shallow water. Walleye have been caught on a variety of baits from smaller shad profile baits to larger minnow profile stick baits. Daytime walleye bites are starting to pick up with fish moving off the dam from spawning and spreading out onto their typical summer structures. Fishing for trout has been fair to good off shore, anglers are catching fish with baits such as smaller inline spinners, Kastmasters, or jerk baits.
Chatfield Reservoir

Quincy Reservoir

Opened March 1st. As of 4/24/2019 open to boating. Electric trolling motors only. Bass fishing is getting better as the weather warms and stabilizes using lipless crankbaits. Reminder that the reservoir is restricted to artificial flies or lures only. Only watercraft capable of being launched by hand permitted. Vehicles and trailers are not permitted in the water. The water level is down a few feet from full pool and the clarity is being reported as off color with a visibility about 3 feet. Anglers have had some early success for bass with jerk baits fished slow or finesse jigs along the bottom. For more information, call 303-326-8424. Park Hours April 6:00am-8:30pm.
Quincy Reservoir

Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado

Blue River

As of 4/26/2019, being that this section of river is a tailwater it tends to fish very consistently year round, however with that being said the fish in this section tend to be pressured by fisherman more than other water. Because of fishing pressure, fishing is best with light tippet in the 6x to 7x range with small subtle presentations. Anglers have reported fish feeding on midge patterns in a variety of colors as well as some fish being caught drifting mysis shrimp. Flows: 95.2 CFS (4/26/2019) 
Blue River - Silverthorne 

Colorado River

As of 4/26/2019, water temperatures are on the rise! Fly anglers have reported success with stonefly nymphs as well as some midges. Spin casting anglers have continued to report success catching Browns on smaller jerk baits fished slowly in the current or some smaller in-line spinners during the warmest parts of the day when the fish are most active. The recent increase in flows has fish focused on the smaller pockets of slack water behind rocks or in eddies. Anglers are having the most success targeting these areas specifically. Flows: 1100 CFS (4/26/2019) 
Colorado River - Near Kremmling 

Lake John

As of 4/26/2019, the ice shelf has started to break away from the shore. There are 10 to 15 feet of open water between the shore and the ice. This is making fishing very difficult at this time with no access to the ice and not enough open water to fish from shore. The warm weather in the forecast is expected to open up water quickly over the next week. Fishing is expected to be very good when there is enough open water to fish with some large trout present in the lake.
Lake John

Delaney Buttes

As of 4/26/2019, the Delaney’s are starting to open up with some open fishable water. Anglers are reporting some success fishing the open water. These lakes are not yet completely open water but with warm weather coming up these lakes are expected to open up even more and allow more opportunities for fishing.
Delaney Buttes

Vega Reservoir

As of 4/24/2019, the ice is 40 to 50 feet from shoreline and we have very little snow on the ground. Plateau Creek is opening up as well. The gravel pit area and the south road remain closed. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 8:00am to 4:00pm 
Vega State Park

Harvey Gap State Park

As of 4/24/2019, Trout were stocked 4/4. As the water warms up the fishing is getting better. Anglers have reported success catching trout on a variety of lures such as spoons but most success is still coming from anglers using PowerBait along the bottom.
Harvey Gap Reservori

Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado

Blue Mesa Reservoir 

As of 4/26/2019, the vast majority of the ice that was present is gone, a strong western wind the past few days has opened the lake up and open water is present with no ice remaining. The reservoir is scheduled to open for boating Saturday April 27th boat inspection hours will be 6:00am to 8:00pm 7 days a week, boat launching will be available at the Elk Creek Boat Ramp. Anglers are reporting success from shore catching trout in the warmer water shallow on marabou jigs. For more information contact Curecanti National Recreation Area at 970-641-2337.
Blue Mesa Reservoir 

Navajo Reservoir

As of 4/22/2019, the lake level is 6033.94 and the water temperature at the boat ramp in Arboles is approximately 48 degrees. Water temp at Bancos is 54. The boat ramp is now open daily, and we believe the mud issues have been resolved due to higher water levels. Be careful because there is a lot of debris in the lake due to run-off. There have been a few catfish, pike and bass caught recently. Fishing seems to be better further south where the lake is a little clearer. Crappie are biting in Bancos.
Navajo State Park

Crawford State Park

As of 4/24/2019, fishing remains slow; we have had many anglers, both shore fishing and from boats, but we have not received many reports of success. Remember that there is a lake specific limit on the bass. They must be 18 inches or larger to keep, and you can only keep ONE. Statewide limits pertain to all other species.
Crawford Reservoir

Taylor River - Below Taylor Park Reservoir

As of 4/26/2019, flows are still holding relatively low which is on track for this time of year in an attempt to keep water storage in the reservoir. This tailwater section has been fishing well lately. With winter still being felt in the Gunnison area anglers are waiting until the warmest parts of the day to fish as the slightly warmer water temperatures will cause the fish to become more active. Small midge patterns are the most effective throughout the day however anglers are also reporting some success using small Mysis Shrimp patterns as well. Keep in mind extremely light fluorocarbon tippet will help to not spook fish. Flows: 119 CFS (4/26/2019)
Taylor River